Yingqi Li

Master of Architecture & Urban Design

Yingqi Li (Vicky) is a Master of Architecture and Urban Design student at Swinburne University, where she is completing her studies with a capstone project, Camberwell Roots & Wings. Originally from Guangzhou, China, Yingqi brings an international perspective to her work, blending cultural insights with a deep commitment to community-focused design. Her expertise spans a variety of technical skills, including Illustrator, Revit, Rhino, Premiere Pro, and Photoshop, which allow her to translate complex design visions into detailed, functional spaces.

Camberwell Roots & Wings, Yingqi’s graduation project, exemplifies her dedication to creating multi-use spaces that serve the community. Located at the west junction of Camberwell, this project integrates a Medicare Center, a Training and Education Centre for aged care professionals, an Early Childcare Centre, and a Pet Salon. Designed as a ‘gate’ project, it connects seamlessly with Camberwell’s urban landscape, aligning with the Camberwell Structure Plan’s 20-minute neighborhood vision to enhance walkability and accessibility.

Through this project, Yingqi demonstrates her belief in architecture as a medium for fostering care, learning, and community connection. By designing spaces that accommodate both current and future needs, she showcases her vision for sustainable, people-centered urban design that enriches community life, marking her as a promising talent in the fields of architecture and urban design.

Camberwell Roots and Wings bird view

Camberwell Roots & Wings is a vibrant, multi-purpose hub designed to serve as a cornerstone of community connection in the
heart of Camberwell Junction. Our name reflects our mission: “Roots” symbolize our commitment to grounding essential
services and community support within the local area, while “Wings” represent the growth, learning, and opportunities that we
provide for all generations.
On the ground floor, you'll find our pet salon and medical center, offering essential care services for the community’s loved
ones—both human and animal. The upper levels house our education and training school for aged care professionals,
alongside a nurturing early childcare center that fosters the growth of the youngest members of our community.
Camberwell Roots & Wings is more than a building; it’s a place where people come together, build connections, and enrich
each other’s lives. We are proud to be a hub that both anchors and uplifts our community, providing deep-rooted support
and the wings to soar toward a brighter future.

Program Link Map

This map highlights the distribution of childcare centers within Camberwell and supports the rationale for developing a larger childcare facility in this area. With Camberwell's population steadily increasing, we anticipate a growing number of families seeking convenient access to quality childcare services. By creating an expanded childcare center, we aim to meet the projected demand, ensuring that more families have access to essential early education and care within close proximity to their homes. This approach not only supports local population growth but also aligns with Camberwell’s vision for a connected, family-friendly community.

SHORT SECTION WEST VIEW

SHORT SECTION EAST

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

Acknowledgement of Country

The School of Design and Architecture respectfully acknowledges the Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and knowledge-keepers of the lands, waters and sky that surround us, where we work, learn, create, communicate and make place. We recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded and this always was and will always be Wurundjeri Country. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who continue to make a better world through design.

We extend our acknowledgement to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students, alumni, real-life clients, and knowledge keepers, who have contributed to our own education diversity and growth. We will continue to ensure that staff and students respectfully honour ancestral connection to Country and Place in everything that they do.

We are dedicated to the notion of design to make a better world and we acknowledge that making tools, shaping place, sharing stories, making meaning, wayfinding and collaborating have long been and continue to be both central and integral to First Peoples' cultures. We recognize that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ cultural contributions have continued relevance to design practice and commit to: reconciling ancestries of design and contemporary practice as well as pursuing culturally and professionally appropriate ways to engage with a diverse population of colleagues, industries and clients. In a time of treaty-making and voice we understand that there are overlaps between caring for Country and the sustainable production of goods, services, experiences, products and buildings.

Guided by the principles of respect, reconciliation, and reciprocity we undertake to indigenising and decolonising design practice by dismantling colonial structures and challenging biases that have marginalised Indigenous voices and design.

As students of SoDA you will be given opportunities to both engage with and educate yourself in Indigenous creative practices and cultural protocols through a lens of inclusivity, diversity, respect, mutual understanding, inter-cultural dialogue in all aspects of design practice. Indigenous people have been telling stories, making tools, and connecting to Country through visual media, placemaking and place marking for more than 60,000 years and these practices are part of an ongoing, evolving and live tradition.